Increase the Efficiency of Accreditation Assessments with QEST Platform
QEST Platform significantly streamlines the accreditation process for construction materials and geotechnical laboratories. Whether A2LA, NATA, AASHTO Accreditation, or any other accreditation is sought, there are tools to assist make the process easier.
More specifically, QEST Platform can help in six key areas:
Workflow Standardization and Compliance: Laboratory and field processes are standardized based on strict compliance with the test standards. Enormous effort has been invested in QEST Platform electronic worksheets to ensure that the technician is following best practice and benefits from real-time feedback based on measurements entered, results calculated and the explicit recommendations of the test standard. Accreditation agencies value and appreciate the standardization and guidance QEST Platform provides to the technicians.
Enhance Accuracy and Efficiency: Another benefit of standardizing workflows around comprehensive compliance with test standards, is that calculation and transposition errors are minimised or eliminated altogether – a very desirable outcome that accreditation agencies appreciate.
Data Management: QEST Platform becomes the centralised system for managing data and assets in the laboratory. Paper records and filing cabinets are replaced with an electronic database, making the preparation for an audit a much simpler process. Even when information originates in other systems, such as calibration records from third party agencies, PDFs or scans of records can be uploaded to QEST Platform and associated with the appropriate equipment. Summary reports for inventory as well as personnel records can be easily produced in preparation for an audit.
Audit Trail: QEST Platform maintains an automated audit trail for entering, modifying or deleting data, which provides an invaluable tool for traceability and troubleshooting of issues. The audit trail can also be valuable in demonstrating compliance during accreditation assessments.
Quality Control: A cornerstone aim of robust quality control is a high degree of repeatability and consistency. Automating sample tracking using barcodes, automating data entry by interfacing to equipment, automating repetitious workflows like weighing samples that have been drying in the oven, etc., all contribute to more reliable processes, minimising the chance of errors. Making equipment status information available to technicians in real time, as they use electronic worksheets (such as calibration and serviceability information), ensures that testing takes place using equipment that is trustworthy and within calibration.
Reporting and Documentation: QEST Platform Cloud can generate comprehensive reports and documentation required for accreditation. This includes proficiency testing results, calibration certificates, personnel training records and non-conformance reports. All this information, often required during an accreditation audit, can be prepared faster and easier than a paper-based system.
